Category — Announcement

I can barely find the words to thank you for your amazing help and support.

Tuesday was an exciting night for our family, staff and volunteers–and I’m so grateful to all of the Delaware Democrats who came out to support me.

I’m also grateful to John Carney, not just for his distinguished career in public service, but also for his immediate offer of 100% support of my campaign in November.

He ran a great campaign and that’s no surprise because he’s had a great career serving the people of Delaware. I look forward to continuing to work with him.

Now, I move onto the general election against Bill Lee. I look forward to a positive debate on the issues most important to Delawareans.

I hope I can continue to have your help over these next two months. Together, we really can make Delaware all it can be.

Jack

“This is a dream ticket.

“Sen. Biden is truly the First State’s first statesman. We’ve been blessed to have him, and now voters across the country will see his passion, conviction, courage and wisdom. His foreign-policy expertise is unparalleled, and domestic initiatives he has sponsored, such as the COPS program and the Violence Against Women Act, have made a profound difference in our nation.

“The Obama-Biden ticket will deliver the change America needs and help repair the country’s reputation overseas, something the Bush administration badly damaged.

“After eight years of George Bush and Dick Cheney in power, it’s hard to say America doesn’t need to go in a bold new direction. The Obama-Biden campaign will answer voters’ profound calls for change.

“Sen. Obama could not possibly have made a better selection.”

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You’ve probably been seeing Jack’s message of a better Delaware all over your TVs, but for those of you out of state or without a TV, here’s the latest:

The first is a spot on Jack’s plan to create 25,000 new, good paying jobs in his first term.

The second is a spot focusing on the issues seniors are facing in Delaware.

To see more of Jack’s TV Spots, or other videos on Education and Healthcare, please visit Jack’s youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/JackMarkell.

Here’s Jack’s latest TV spot featuring his Blueprint for a Better Delaware. Jack is the only candidate to have released a book detailing his bold, innovative policy proposals for the state. Enjoy!

This past December, Jack’s campaign released the first ad of the election season, featuring legendary Delaware coach Tubby Raymond. It played during the FCS Championship game between UD and Appalachian State.

Today, Jack has a new ad out, which will be airing all over Delaware. Check it out!

If you’d like to download a higher quality version of this ad, visit our homepage or click here.

As always, we can use your help spreading Jack’s message of changing Delaware for the better. If you have spare time and would like to volunteer, please do so! And of course, contributions to help us keep canvassers in the field and our TV spots on the air are much appreciated.

Stop 57: Odessa
Our final stop of the tour was Odessa where Jack met up with supporters outside Lorenzo’s Pizza. Thanking everyone, Jack summed up the reason for the tour, “I intend to the be the Governor of all Delawareans, and I think it only fitting that I announce my candidacy by going to every single town and giving every single Delawarean the opportunity to come and speak to me.” The Odessa stop was a perfect end to an amazing tour and a perfect beginning for the months ahead!

Jack with supporters in Odessa

Stop 56: Townsend
Townsend was our second to last stop of the tour. Jack stopped at Willey Farms on Rt 13. and spoke with supporters and customers. Before leaving, Jack bought a bag of delicious Bing Cherries to share with his volunteers.

Stop 55: Leipsic
Then it was on to Leipsic where Jack met with several supporters and residents in front of Sambo’s Tavern on the water.

Stop 54: Cheswold
Jack enjoyed a delicious pizza with supporters at Antony’s Pizza in Cheswold. Following the meal, Jack met with Mayor Donald Tinari, an energetic supporter of Jack’s campaign.

Stop 53:Kenton
Next up was Kenton where Jack visited the Country Store on Main St. and spoke with the owner of the store for a few minutes about business and economic development.

Stop 52: Hartly
Jack stopped at Antonio’s Pizza and Gas Station and talked with the owner and local residents.

Jack at Antonio’s Pizza in Hartly

Stop 51: Wyoming
We pulled up to Wyoming Park just as the rain started. Jack spoke under a gazebo to almost a dozen supporters and thanked them for braving the rainy weather. Jack told the group about people he had met from all over the state during his tour and their desire to see Delaware move in a bold, new direction in issues like health care, economic development and education.

Stop 50: Little Creek
Our 51st tour stop was Little Creek where Jack met with supporters and greeted customers at the Little Creek Deli, where he stopped last year during the second leg of the Tour de Delaware. Jack spoke with residents of Little Creek about education and the need to reform the unpopular Delaware Standardized Testing Program. His plan to scrap the current test and replace it with a comprehensive growth measure test was met with unanimous approval by the parents and grandparents at the Deli.

Stop 49: Magnolia
After just missing the rain, Jack stopped in Magnolia and was greeted by almost two dozen supporters who had gathered around the town sign. Jack spoke about the changing demographics of the state and the challenges we face as our population ages rapidly and answered questions about Delaware’s budget, deferred compensation, and consolidating purchases in the public school system.

After speaking to supporters, Jack shook hands and spoke to patrons at the Magnolia Diner. He answered questions on economic development and health care, giving out several copies of his book, Blueprint For A Better Delaware.

Jack talking with patrons at the Magnolia Diner

Stop 48: Camden
Jack stopped in Camden and had breakfast with supporters at Bob Evans. Over a plate of eggs, Jack talked about education, new innovative technologies, and his motivation for entering politics.

Stop 47: Woodside
After a quick drive from Viola to Woodside, Jack stopped at the Post Office to meet up with supporters. A nice couple stopped by on their way to feed a stray kitten, and described to Jack how they felt Delaware needs to move in a “bold, new direction.”

Jack in Woodside

Stop 46: Viola
Our first stop on our last day was in the beautiful town of Viola. Jack arrived at about 9 am at the Viola Post Office, surprised to find some of his energetic supporters playing catch with their lacrosse sticks. Although accustomed to the male lacrosse sticks with larger pockets, Jack picked up one the sticks and joined in. Following a few throws, Jack thanked his supporters and Levy Court candidate Jody Sweeney for stopping by.

Jack in Viola with Jody Sweeney, candidate for Levy Court

We are now just four months away from the September 9 election, which is shaping up to be the most important state primary in decades. Delaware can do better, and this campaign will be decided by how Delawareans answer one simple question: Do you want to continue down the path we are on under the Minner-Carney administration, or is it time for a governor with new ideas and new leadership?

I will provide a new direction for Delaware, and I have the right experience to get things done. As state treasurer, I have:

• Saved the state over $30 million dollars by improving the way our government purchases supplies
• Helped put tens of millions of federal dollars into the pockets of working Delawareans through the Earned Income Tax Credit program in conjunction with the Nehemiah Gateway Foundation
• Improved the health of state employees and reduced the cost of their health care as a result of the award-winning Health Rewards Program

I am proposing bold, innovative policies, not more studies, more task forces and more of the same. I’m the only candidate with a comprehensive plan to guarantee every Delawarean has high-quality, affordable health care, and the only candidate with a detailed plan that will reinvigorate our economy and create 25,000 high-wage jobs in my first term.

The differences in this campaign are clear. I offer new ideas and fresh approaches to state government. We are overdue for a new direction in Delaware, and we need a leader with a proven track record to fight for you and take Delaware in a new direction. I will provide that leadership.

We are four months away from Election Day, and with your help, I know we can get there. But I can’t do it alone. Please click here to contribute to the campaign.

Jack

On Monday, Democracy for America, the nation’s largest political action group, announced that they are endorsing Jack in Delaware’s race for governor.

Jim Dean, Chair of DFA, said “Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign. Jack Markell’s work as a public official and his experience in the private sector make him uniquely qualified to lead Delaware.”

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of DFA, said “Jack is a strong, progressive candidate with the skills and experience needed in the state house. Jack has a progressive vision for Delaware that will improve health care and education and the lives of its residents.”

DFA is a key endorsement in the race, bringing donations from progressives and providing volunteers to participate in door-to-door, grassroots outreach. DFA had helped to elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick to Rep. Jerry McNerney in California’s 11th Congressional District.

President Bush’s speech last night showed why it is so important that we elect a Democratic president in November. Proposed solutions to serious issues hard-working Americans are tackling everyday — ranging from the economic problems to health care to education — were largely absent from the address.

Delawareans and people all over America are hungry for serious proposals, not small steps. They want a bold, visionary approach to growing our economy, a plan for providing health insurance to all Americans and a program to modernize our education system and put college within the reach of every student. Not to mention a strategy for energy independence and environmental
protection.

I was disappointed that so many crucial issues were swept under the rug, so to speak. Families in Delaware and throughout America can’t ignore the economy, health care and education, they must deal with these issues every day of their lives. Presidents — and governors — should not pretend to ignore those issues either.

I do applaud the president, however, for his proposal to expand education benefits for military members, their spouses and their
children, as well improve the care of wounded veterans — something that should have been done before U.S. troops
invaded Iraq. I am so proud of the American military men and women serving at the Dover Air Force Base and around the world. They are true defenders of liberty and freedom.

In the Democratic response, Gov. Sebelius of Kansas was right to call for a national unity movement to address the significant problems facing our country. George Bush and other Republicans have badly divided our great nation. One reason I endorsed Barack Obama for president is that I feel his vision for America will unite us and bring us together to develop solutions, not bicker over partisan disagreements.

People in Delaware and the 49 other states are willing to do what it takes to overcome the problems facing us, but their elected leaders must have the bold vision to call for sweeping changes that will allow all of us to do better.

Jack Markell kicked off his “You Talk, I Listen” program on Sunday. The program launched with a huge success as about 50 local residents joined Jack for dinner at the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington. Everyone was welcome to attend as Jack spent time discussing his visions for how Delaware can do better, and also listening to resident’s concerns while addressing their questions about his policy proposals and the state’s future.

“As I’ve traveled across the state for the last nine years as Treasurer I realized that no one understands more clearly the new direction that Delaware needs to go in than Delawareans do,” Markell said. “My campaign sponsored this community dinner because I want to make it even easier for people to come tell me what they think is wrong, and where they think we should be going. For the rest of the campaign we will be having similar events across the state in community centers, peoples, homes, and elsewhere.”

After the tremendous success of the first event Jack is thrilled to get out to more communities and hear what Delawareans have to say! If you would like to set up a “You Talk, I Listen” event you can call our office (302)-283-1420 or send us an e-mail at campaign@markell.org.